The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in illegal land acquisitions in Abuja, directing that all structures erected on lands obtained through forged documents be demolished.
Wike gave the directive on Tuesday during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of service carriageways along the Southern Parkway, extending from Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way) to Ring Road II.
The minister said investigations by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had uncovered cases where individuals allegedly forged land allocation documents and proceeded to develop properties on lands that were never officially allocated to them.
According to him, the administration would no longer tolerate such practices and would take decisive action against offenders regardless of their status or influence.
Wike also expressed displeasure over the absence of the Acting Director of Development Control at the event, describing it as a sign of poor commitment to official responsibilities.
Addressing the Head of Service, the minister directed that a strong message be delivered to the official, warning that his chances of being confirmed in a substantive capacity could be affected if he failed to demonstrate dedication to his duties.
“Take the message to him. Luckily, he is acting and not the Director yet; I have the capacity not to make him the Director,” Wike said.
The minister emphasized that senior officials of the administration must remain actively involved in government activities and maintain proper supervision of development projects across the territory.
He noted that attendance at official events and effective monitoring of ongoing developments are critical aspects of public service responsibilities.
Wike further instructed the Department of Development Control to intensify enforcement operations against unauthorized structures and illegal developments across the Federal Capital Territory.
He stressed that any property constructed on land obtained through fraudulent means would face demolition without exception.
“Send this message to him that all these land grabbers who have started to develop lands that are not given to them, he should go and bring all down,” the minister stated.
“Heaven will not fall; rather, heaven will be at peace when things are done properly.”
The FCT minister revealed that authorities frequently encounter situations where individuals present questionable land ownership documents whenever government infrastructure projects are about to commence.
According to him, the administration has become increasingly concerned about the growing trend of document forgery aimed at obstructing legitimate government projects.
“We have found out that each time we want to carry out construction, people who have not been genuinely allocated lands, you see them forging documents. It will not work,” he said.
Wike directed the Department of Development Control to collaborate closely with the Department of Lands to verify land ownership records and identify structures erected without valid allocations.
He maintained that any development found to be in violation of established land allocation procedures would be removed.
The minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to enforcing planning regulations, protecting public assets, and ensuring orderly development within the nation's capital.
He urged officials responsible for land administration and development control to take their duties seriously and ensure strict compliance with existing regulations governing land ownership and development in the FCT.
